Effects of sand, asphalt, and a three degrees hind toe or heel elevation on equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics at walk and trot.

Overview

• This study investigated how different ground surfaces (asphalt vs. sand) and minor adjustments in hoof angles (3 degrees toe or heel elevation) affect the neck and back movements of horses while walking and trotting.
• The goal was to better understand factors influencing horse spine motion to improve treatment, rehabilitation, and training.

Background

• The cervical (neck) and thoracolumbosacral (mid-back to pelvis) regions in horses are prone to injuries and lesions.
• Understanding how external factors such as the type of ground surface horses move on and the angle of their hooves affect spine mechanics could enhance clinical care and rehabilitation strategies.
• Prior to this study, the effects of ground surface and hoof angle changes on horse cervical and thoracolumbar kinematics were not well established.

Objectives

• To assess the influence of two different ground surfaces — asphalt and sand — on cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics in horses during walking and trotting.
• To determine how a 3-degree elevation of the hind toe or heel affects these kinematics when horses walk and trot on asphalt.

Methods

• Six saddle horses were used for the experiment.
• Reflective markers were placed on horses to track spinal movement.
• Horses were shod with reference shoes: fore aluminum (REF F) and hind steel racehorse shoes (REF H).
• Kinematic data was captured using 2D video from a camera placed perpendicular to the horse.
• Comparisons were made between walking and trotting on asphalt versus sand.
• On asphalt, horses wore the standard REF shoes and also wore modified REF H shoes that included either a 3-degree hind toe wedge or a 3-degree hind heel wedge.
• Measured parameters included various flexion and extension angles of the cervical, cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral regions.

Results

• When moving on asphalt compared to sand (either walking or trotting):
  • Mid-cervical flexion increased by approximately 2 degrees.
  • Cervicothoracic extension increased by about 5 degrees.
  • Thoracolumbar flexion increased by approximately 2.3 degrees.
  • Lumbosacral range of motion was reduced by about 3 degrees.
• Introducing a 3-degree elevation at the hind toe or heel on asphalt resulted in:
  • Increased cervicothoracic flexion by about 5 degrees during walking.
  • Increased lumbosacral extension by approximately 3 degrees during walking.
• Increasing the plantar hoof angle primarily increased lumbosacral extension during walking (around 3 degrees).
• At the trot:
  • Toe elevation reduced thoracothoracic flexion by nearly 2.7 degrees.
  • Heel elevation reduced thoracothoracic extension by about 2.9 degrees.

Conclusions and Implications

• The type of ground surface (firm asphalt vs. softer sand) significantly impacts spinal kinematics in horses, influencing neck and back flexion and extension patterns.
• Small modifications in hind hoof angles (toe or heel wedges) produce measurable changes in spinal movement during locomotion, especially at walking gaits.
• These findings have practical applications in:
  • Clinical management of horses with cervical or thoracolumbar issues.
  • Rehabilitation protocols, where controlling ground surface and hoof angles could optimize spinal recovery and function.
  • Training and performance assessments by considering how surfaces and shoeing strategies influence spinal biomechanics.
• Overall, the study provides data that can guide veterinarians, farriers, and trainers to make informed decisions that support equine health and athletic performance.